My creed is to drink wine and be happy; my faith is to be devoid of unbelief and religion. I said to the bride of fate, “How big a diamond would you like?” She said, “My diamond is your joyous heart.” Translated by Juan Cole from [pdf] Whinfield 58
Archives for March 2012
Afghans to US Military: Be at Least a Little Ashamed
This is one Afghanistan newspaper’s reaction today to the story of the massacre by a US staff sergeant of 16 villagers, including 9 children, near Qandahar. It is a medley of photographs of US troops in the country. Note that the source, Afghanpaper.com, in Dari Persian, is considered an “independent” news source by the US […]
Tomgram: Engelhardt, War as the President’s Private Preserve
When I was young, the Philadelphia Bulletin ran cartoon ads that usually featured a man in trouble — dangling by his fingers, say, from an outdoor clock…
Changing Iran’s Nuclear Calculation with Green Energy: Buonomo
Thomas J. Buonomo writes in a guest column for Informed Comment Changing Iran’s Cost-Benefit Analysis on Its Nuclear Program The announcement last week by Chinese officials that China is interested in building joint wind, solar, and geothermal energy installations in Iran should be taken advantage of by US policy-makers. The proposed Chinese projects could much […]
Omar Khayyam (57)
We are pagans of love; the orthodox are something else. We are like puny ants; the splendor of Solomon is something else. Our faces are sallow and our clothing is tattered; the fine linens at the boutique are something else. Translated by Juan Cole from [pdf] Whinfield 57
President Hadi, Yemen’s New Leader, Lays out his Vision (al-Sharq al-Awsat)
The USG Open Source Center translates an interview at al-Sharq al-Awsat with new Yemeni president Abd-Rabbuh Mansour Hadi. He succeeds overthrown dictator Ali Abdallah Saleh Yemen: President Hadi on Form of Gov’t, Foreign Relations, Fighting Terrorism Text of interview with Yemeni President Abd-Rabbuh Mansur Hadi by Muhammad Jumayh in Sanaa; date not given: “In his […]
Omar Khayyam (56)
I spent a lifetime romancing with wine and roses, but none of my efforts ever went right; since none of my desires was fulfilled through wine, I’ve given up on what is past. Translated by Juan Cole from [pdf] Whinfield 56
Bahrain Demonstrations Echoed in Iraq on Eve of Arab League Meeting
Tens of thousands of demonstrators came out in villages and along highways in Bahrain on Friday, reviving their protest of the islands’ absolute monarchy. Among the organizers was the Shiite Wifaq Party, which says it wants a constitutional monarchy. Opposition video is here: Bahrain may have been two-thirds Shiite a few decades ago, but the […]
Poll: Majority of Republicans Expect War with Iran in 2012 (Infographic)
The Poll Position has done a scientific poll of the American public on how likely they feel war is with Iran in 2012. They were split, but what is really interesting is the partisan divide. A majority (57%) of Republicans believe that the US will attack Iran this year, whereas only a quarter say no. […]
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